Recap: Hurricanes v Chiefs – Super Rugby Pacific semifinal
Saturday, 15 June 2024
The Hurricanes host the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals at 4.35pm on Saturday.
The winner will play the Blues in the grand final on June 22.
Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson has been withdrawn from the match-day squad with a hamstring injury.
Teams
Hurricanes: Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields (capt), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Justin Sangster, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd, Bailyn Sullivan.
Chiefs: Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Jimmy Tupou, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Liam Coombes Fabling.
Form
Both teams are coming off comprehensive quarterfinal wins. The Chiefs seem to have hit form at the right time, torching the Reds 43-21 last Friday while the table-topping Hurricanes ended the Melbourne Rebels’ existence with an emphatic 47-20 win last Saturday to maintain their perfect record in Wellington.
TAB odds
The Hurricanes are paying $1.60 to beat the Chiefs and advance to their first Super Rugby final since 2016. The Chiefs have been listed as $2.25 underdogs.
What to expect
The Hurricanes have a perfect record in Wellington this year and they have beaten the Chiefs both times they have met, even when they lost a hooker to an early red card. Both previous meetings have followed a similar pattern: The Hurricanes have stormed out to an early lead, the Chiefs have fought back and then Hurricanes have finished strong to clinch the win. The Chiefs suffered a major blow on the eve of the game with star fullback Shaun Stevenson a late withdrawal, which could tip the semifinal in the Hurricanes’ favour. Stevenson had been struggling with a hamstring injury. Etene Nanai-Seturo, originally named on the left wing, will now start in the No. 15 jersey.
What they said
Clark Laidlaw (Hurricanes coach): “I’m not sure the Chiefs are going to fear much. The games have been super tight, haven’t they? Maybe a bit of luck to win away from home after going down a player a couple of times in the game. Playing at home, I thought we played well for 25 then they played well for 25 and we managed to get back on top. It’s going to be a tight tussle and one we’re all looking forward to.”
Clayton McMillan (Chiefs coach): “The Canes have always a team to be respected. I think we breathed a sigh of relief last year when they fell over at the quarterfinal stage because they are a dangerous team team capable of beating anyone on their day. They are always well balanced with plenty of x-factor; backs who can score all over the place and some tough resilient in the forwards that have particularly grown in that space over the last couple of years.”
Players to watch
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes): One of only two survivors from the Hurricanes team that won their first and only Super Rugby title in 2016. The veteran halfback has turned back the clock after returning from a long-term Achilles injury, becoming the competition’s all-time leading try scorer this year. His experience will be key in the Hurricanes’ biggest game in eight years.
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs): The Fijian-born All Blacks winger enters the semifinals in scintillating form. After failing to cross in his first appearance, Narawa has scored 10 tries in his last eight. Narawa has also dotted down on both occasions when the Chiefs have played the Hurricanes. The 24-year-old needs two tries to catch leading try scorer Sevu Reece.
History
The Chiefs have won 20 of their 35 previous meetings with the Hurricanes, but have lost the last two after winning each of the previous five. The Hurricanes finished strong to claim a 36-23 win when they met in Wellington in round eight but it took a clutch kick from Brett Cameron to snatch a much tighter 20-17 victory when they played in Hamilton in round 13. The Hurricanes haven’t won a semifinal since 2016.